TIS: John Lennon – Happy Xmas (War is Over)

Every year, for about 2 months, a debate rises up and divides our society; When exactly is the right time to start listening to Christmas songs (and for radio stations to provide them)?

Now, I know that there are some reading this that would respond with a resounding “Never!”, but that’s just because they have no soul.

On to the rest of you; Nation, I have the answer! Christmas songs may start being listened to up to six months before the 25th December, but no earlier. As to how long after Christmas they can be listened to, I have a strict ‘no longer than 6 months after Christmas’ rule.

So that is settled. You may disagree, but that is just because you are wrong.

Now, regardless of whether you agree with my correct ruling or not, I think we can all agree that it is now definitely not too early for Christmas songs. With that in mind, I present to you a classic:

I love this song. It is firmly embedded in my youthful Christmas memories. But something extra caught my attention this year. As the (always the case) out of tune children’s choir ramble on, they declare:

War is over, if you want it.

Even to my ears as a child, this made an impression. Now, I find further significance in those words. Christmas was the beginning of the end of a war. And that war can be over, if you so choose.

The Bible says that since birth we have been at war, fighting every day. Not just with each other (though we are), and not even just with ourselves (though we are), but with God. We fight and struggle and grit our teeth against the Creator who has plans and goodness for us. We shake our fist at a God we don’t understand. We hedge our lives, property, and families off as best as we can, unwilling to consider that all that we have is a gift from him anyway.

We were born enemies of God (Colossians 1:21).

And yet, Christmas can be the end of that. God, the One we have raged against, steps down to become a man like us: Jesus. He is born helpless and weak. He suffers as we suffer. He is hated by those with whom he comes to make peace. And 33 years later, he is killed by them. Yet in his death, the price of their rebellion is paid. The way for them to be made right with him is opened. The opportunity for a new start, without the rage, a life as a child of God rather than an enemy of God, is given.

War is over. If you want it.

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(You can catch the previous Truth in Sound here.)